Hog-ringing crate



Feb. 3. 1925. 1,525,366

N. BROWN 7 HOG RING'ING CRATE Filed Jan. 10, 1923 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Feb. 3. 1925.

N. BROWN HOG RINGING CRATE Filed Jan. 10, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 3.1925. 1,525,366

N. BROWN HOG RINGING CRATE Filed Jan. 10, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 3.1925.

1,525,366 N. BROWN HOG RINGING CRATE Filed Jan. 10. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet4 Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

NEWELL BROWN, OF SELMA, IOWA.

HOG-RINGING CRATE.

Application filed January 10, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NnwELL BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Selma, in the county of Van Buren and State of Iowa, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Hog-Ringing Crates, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in hog ringing crates andit is an object of the invention to provide a device of this generalcharacter having novel and improved means whereby a hog may be heldeffectively in a position to facilitate the application of a ring to thesnout of the animal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improveddevice of this general character comprising an entrance at one end andan exit at the opposite end, the exit being provided with means tofacilitate the application of a ring to the nose or snout of a hog, saidmeans being adjustable to a position to permit unhindered eXit of theanimal after the ringing operation.

Furthermore it is an object of the invention to provide a novel andimproved device of this general character embodying a man ually operatedtrip to engage the head of the animal from below to hold the nose orsnout upwardly to facilitate the applying of a ring.

The invention also has for an object to provide a novel and improveddevice of this general character embodying a crate structure providedwith means for raising a hog forwardly with its nose or snout in aposition to have a ring applied thereto, together with a top or lidassociated with the crate and operating to provide additional means formaintaining the hog in a position to facilitate the application of aring to the nose or snout of an animal.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel and improveddevice of this general character including a crate having associatedwith an end portion thereof a gate provided with an opening throughwhich the nose or snout of ahog is adapted to be inserted, together withmeans to assure the passage of the nose or snout through such opening inthe gate.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved device of this Serial No. 611,752.

gene 'al cha 'acter having certain of its parts removable, saidremovable parts permitting the proper mounting of means to facilitatethe loading of a hog or the like upon a vehicle.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved hogringing crate, whereby certain important advantages are attained and thedevice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenientand advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a crateconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the device as illustrated inFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 ofFigure l;

Figure l is a view in perspective of the removable member associatedwith the gate for increasing the size of the opening in said gate, saidmember being unapplied;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through thestructure as illustrated in Figure 1, a second position of the troughbeing indicated by dotted lines;

Figure 6 is a view in top plan of the device as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view in top plan of the lid or cover member in theposition shown in either Figure 1 or 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in plan ofthe manually operated trip for raising or lifting the nose or snout of ahog or the like;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken throughmyimproved crate when employed for the purposes of loading;

Figure 10 is a view in bottom plan of the runway in the positionillustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view partly in top plan and partly in section of thecrate illustrated in Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through thedevice illustrating a further form of trough foruse in vaccination;

Figure 13 is a top plan of the trough as disclosed in Figure 12detached; and

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken transversely of the trough.

As herein disclosed, my improved crate comprises a floor 1 suitablysecured to the transversely directed sills 2. The sills 2 are mountedupon and supported by'the parallel runners 3. The runners 3 providemeans whereby the device in its'entirety: may be readily transportedfrom one location to an-- standards 1 are arranged in transverselyaligned pairs with the pairs of standards of different heights. Thestandards 4 at the receiving end of the crate terminate above theintermediate standards, While the standards 4 at the discharge ordelivery end of the crate terminate a desired distance above the firstmentioned standards. The standards 4: disposed along each side of thecrate have secured thereto the longitudinally directed and verticallyspaced slats or side boards 5. The. lower side boards 5 areimmediatelyadj acentto the floor 1, and removably disposed through said lowermostcleats or side boards 5 immediately adjacent to the delivery ordischarge end of the. crate is a pin 6 which is also dis-posed throughthe bearings or sleeves 7 dependingfrom anzendportion of the bottom ofthe trough T.

The trough T is of a width to snugly fit.

between the slats or side boards 5,- yet having free swinging movementin vertical plane about the pin 6 as a pivot. The trough T is also of. alength to terminate in relatively close proximity to the receiving endof the crate, which is normally open. The trough T is provided with theupstanding side boards 8, each disposed on an upward and outward inclinewith the inner surface or face thereof smooth and unobstructed, Theupper face of the. trough T,

between the side boards 8, has applied there to a covering 9 of tin orthe like which serves to provide a shppery surface, the purpose of whichwill behereinafter more par jacent to the receiving or entrance end ofThe drum 19 is fixed to a shaft the crate; 21 which extendsto one sideof the crate, and. to said extended portion is adapted to be en a ed anoaeratin handle 22 orthev D C b 7 like, whereby requisite rotation maybe im-' parted to the drum 19, towind the flexible member16 thereontoswingup or raise'the trough T relative to the pivot pin 6.

The extended portion of the sbat't21 has fixed thereto a ratchet wheel23, with which coacts a pawl 24 to hold the drum 19 against retrograderotation or against rotation under the influence of the trough T.

G denotes a member or gate which coacts with the-=discharge or deliveryend of the crate and is hingedly connected as at 25 with astandard 4.The gate or member is provided at substantially 1ts transverse centerwith an opening 26 herein disclosed as provided by a pair of spacedupstanding strips anda cross member 27 connected to said strips andbridging the space therebetween', said member being positioned a desireddis tanceabove the-lower end of the gate or memberG; The hog-to beringed is caused to enter the crate with the trough-T inits lowermostposition after which a board 28 is applied to partially close theentrance end of the crate to prevent the hog from backing out. The drum19 is then rotated to effect a raising or upward swingingmovement'of thetrough T and due to the slick or slipperysurface of the trough T and theside boards 8 the animal will 'slide toward the gate G and with hissnout extended throughthe opening 26, whereby the application of thering may be effected.

Arranged at opposite sides of the crate,

immediatelyadjacent to the delivery or dischargeend thereof, are theelongated and vertically disposed wings 29' having their innerlongitudinal marginal portions hingedlyconnectedas at 30to certain of ofthe side boards -5 whereby the wings-'29 are :supported for swingingmovement laterall,\"ofthecrate The wings 29 are adapted to be swung intoconverging relation with respect to'the openings-6 as'is illustrated inliligures- 2 and- G to serve as guides to assure the snout of ahogpassing through the opening 26.

Under certain conditions it is necessary to Ill) lift or raise the headof the animal to apply a ring. and as herein disclosed, I provide forthis purpose the trip 31 which extends *ithin the crate through thelower portion of the opening 26. The trip 31 is hingedly connected as at32 with the cross member 33 comprised in the crate structure forvertical swinging movement and the trip 31 is of a length to overlie theadjacent hinged portion of the trough T. The trip 31 is provided with aforward extension 3 1 providing a foot piece or treadle so that whenpressure is imposed upon said foot piece or treadle the trip 31 willswing upwardly to raise the snout of a hog when desired. The trip 31 isnormally maintained in its lowered position through the medium of anexpansible member herein disclosed as a coiled sprin interposed betweenthe foot piece or tr adle 341 and the cross member 33, hereinbeforereferred to.

After the ring has been properly applied to the snout of a hog the gateG is swung into open position, whereupon the animal may have ready exitor escape from within the crate. The gate G may be held in closedposition in any referred manner, but as herein disclosed, said gate isprovided at a side remote from its hinged connection with the extensions36 which extend over the adj acent standard 1 when the gate is in closedposition. \Vhen the gate is closed the extensions 36 are engaged by thevertically swinging hook members 37 herein disclosed as engaging theextensions 36 from above. The hook members 37 are provided with therearward extensions or tail pieces 38 which are connected by the length39 for unitary swinging movement. The rear extension of the upper hookmember 38 is of material length to provide an operating lever 10.

L denotes a lid or top for the crate, having secured to and disposed t*ansversely of its under face, cleats 41. Secured to the top face of thelid or cover L at a desired point thereon, intermediate the endsthereof, is a sleeve or barrel 12 through which is directed a pin 43,the pin being also disposed through the upper slats or side boards 5,whereby the lid or cover will be held in applied position. The rearportion of the lid or cover L, when applied, extends over the drum 19with the lid or cover disposed on a downward and forward incline,terminating in close proximity to the opening 26. This lid or cover Lfurther facilitates the proper positioning of the hog for ringing.

a4 denotes a removable strip provided adjacent one end with an inwardlyprojecting hook member 15. This member 45 provides means whereby themember 41 1 may be supported by the gate G in position to reduce widthof the opening 26 as the requirements of practice may necessitate.

Hy improved crate can also be employed with facility as a loadingdevice. lVhen so employed the gate G, together with the lid or cover Lis removed. and the wings 29 swung to lie against the sides of thecrate. The hooks 17 are then detached from the eye members 18 of thetrough T and the pin 6 is removed so that the trough T can be taken outof the crate. The runway R is then applied within the crate on a forwardand upward incline. The upper end portion of the runway, when applied,is provided with the sleeves or barrels d6 through which the pin 6 isinserted, said pin 6 being also disposed through suitably arrangedopenings 18 in the wings 29 and also in certain of the slats or sideboards 5. The openings 18 in the wings 29 are vertically spaced so thatthe runway B may be held at different elevations as the requirements ofpractice may necessitate.

lVhen the crate is employed as a loading device I find it of advantageto mount upon the upper portion of the side walls of the crate thebrackets 49. \Vhen the hog has been driven into the crate and upon therunway R, the board 28 may be applied, and after the hog has passed upand over the runway a similar board may be applied at the front end ofthe crate to prevent the hog from returning.

lVhile I have particularly stated that my crate can be employed forringing purpose, or as a loading device, I also wish it to be understoodthat the same assembly employed for ringing can be used for vaccinating,the idea being that the vaccination should be behind the ear or behindthe front shoulder. The crate can also be used for a breeding crate or acastrating crate.

In Figure 12 the construction is substantially the same ashe-reinbe-fore described with respect to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive exceptthat the trough T has its central portion, or that portion between theside boards 8 open.

The trough. T is adapted to be pivotally connected wih the crate by thepin 6. This pin 6 is selectively engaged through the longitudinallyspaced openings (4 that may be determined by the size of the animal.

In vaccinating a hog, the trough T is initially in its lowermostposition and the animal is driven in from the front end of the crateafter which the member or gate Gr is closed. The trough T is thenelevated in the same manner as for ringing and as the trough T rises thehog will assume a substantially perpendicular position with his backagainst the gate or member G and feet and legs projecting through thecentral opening in the trough T, thus affording easy access for thepurpose of vaccination. lVhen the vaccination is completed the trough T18 lowered and the hog permittedzto escape through the rearend of thecrate. It is to be understood however that if preferred the hog can beplaced in the crate in the same manner as hereinbefore setforth withrespect to the breeding of a hog and which methodis employedif it isdesired to vaccinate the animal in the vicinity .of the neck.

The holes Cb permitan adj ustment :of the trou h T relative to the ateor member G, astbefore stated inaccordance:with the size ofthelhogandralsolto' assure suflicient space for :thehog to assume asit-tingposition...

From the foregoing description it-is thought to beobviousithat ahogringing crate constructed in. accordance wlth my '1nvention-1spartlcula-rly welladapted for use-by reason of the conveniencea-ndufacility with which it may be assembled and operated,

audit will also be obvious that my invention iiscsusceptible of somechange and modi fication .without LClGPflltlIlg from the pr1nciplesandspirit thereof. and for this reason I .do not wish to be understooda-s limitingi myselflto the precise arrangement and formation of theseveral parts here-in shown in carrying out. my invention in practiceexceptzas hereinafter claimed.

lVhat is claimed is 1 A crate'of the class set forth provided with :anentrance and anexit, a gate for closing: the exit andv provided wit-h an:opening, a trough :supportedin position within the lOWQlJPOI't-lOD' Ofthexcrate' and having means for. pi'votally supporting an end portion ofthe trough: at a point adjacent:

the. exit of the crate, means for raising the trough, guide meanscarriedrby the sides of the crate adjacent the sidesand convergingtoward the openingain the gate, and lifting means carried by the cratead acent the exit and at the lower portion. of the'openingof the gatewhen the gate is closed said lifting means overlapping the adjacent endportion of thetrough;

2. A crate of the-class set forth provided with an entrance and aneXit,a gate for closing the exit and provided with an openmg,

means for pivotally supporting. an end a trough supported in positionwithin the lower portlon of the crate and havingtrough, andguide-means-carried by the sides of thewcratead-jacent the sidesandconverging.itoward the opening in the gate, amtrip member carried by theexit end of the-crate, an endportion of the trip overlappingi theadjacent end portion of r the trough, said trip: being positionedadjacent the lower portion of the opening. in the gatewhen-the gate isclosed and meansfon supporting the trip. member intermediate its end forswi'nging movement in a di rectiontoward or' from the trough.

3. A crate ofthe class setforth provided with-anentrance and air exit, agate for closingthe eXitand-provided with an opening, a trough 1supported in position withinthe lower portionf the crate "and havingmeans for P pivotally supporting an end portion-of the trough at a pointadjacent the exit of the crate, means for raising the trough, guidemeans carried by the sides'of the crate adjacent the sidesand convergingtoward the opening. in the gate, a trip mem ber carried by theexit endof the'crate, anendportion of the trip overlapping the adjacent end.portion of the: trough, said trip being positioned!adjacent the lowerportion of the opening in the gate when the gate is closed, meansforsupportingthe trip member intermediate itsend for swinging movement in adirection toward or from the=trough and means for constantly urging theinner endportionof 7 said member toward the trough.

4. A crate of-the class set forth providedwith an entrance and an exit,a gate for closing the-exit and provided with an open ing,-..a troughsupported in position within the lower portion 'of the crate andhavingm'eans for: pivota-llyi supporting anend portion of theitrough ata point adjacent the exit of the crate, means for raising the trough,guidemeans carried the sides of the crate adj acent' the sides" andconverge ingtoward the opening in the gate,-a lid for -the-.crate,--means substantially midway 100 In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my105 signature."

NEWELL' BROWN,

